SDCCM Blog

1 Corinthians 14:14-15 – If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

An unknown tongue is a supernatural utterance initiated by the Holy Spirit. It is a language that has not been learned by the speaker nor understood by the mind of the speaker. It has nothing whatsoever to do with linguistic ability, but is a manifestation of the Spirit of God employing human speech organs. Some may ask, what is the use or purpose of speaking with tongues?

In the Acts of the Apostles, the gift of tongues is seen as a “sign gift.” It was a sign to the Jews that the kingdom of God had come as revealed by the Prophets (Acts 2). It was also a sign to the Jews that the Gentiles were accepted and made part of the kingdom (Acts 10). Tongues were also a sign to the twelve disciples Paul found at Ephesus. When Paul prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit, they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul makes a distinction between the gift of tongues in bringing a message in the assembly and tongues as a devotional help in prayer and worship. Paul speaks of tongues as a sign to the unbeliever or the ungifted person (1 Cor. 14:22). Earlier in the chapter, he spoke of tongues as a help in prayer and worship (1 Cor. 14:14-15).

Paul says that the one who speaks in tongues does not speak to men, but to God. In his spirit he speaks mysteries, in other words, things unknown to the speaker or listener (1 Corinthians 14:2). As in the apostolic days, so it is today. Many of God’s people have received this gift. Tongues are most useful in assisting our prayer life and worship of the Lord. Sometimes they may be used to bring a message with the gift of interpretation, but more often, the gift is personal and useful in prayer and worship.

Paul teaches that “One who speaks in tongues does not speak to men, but God (1 Corinthians 14:2). While Peter preached the Gospel to the Gentiles, they received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. “All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. “For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and exalting God” (Acts 10:45-46). There are no terms in natural speech appropriate to express the Greatness and Excellence of God. Those who have had the joy of seeing others filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues can recall how most, lovingly adored Jesus.

Paul asks the rhetorical question, “All do not speak with tongues, do they?” He also indicates throughout 1Corinthians 14 that all could. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to speak with His help in your prayer and worship of our great king. Pray, Lord, I yield my voice to You. Use me to speak of Your greatness and Your glory.

1 John 4:1 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

The gift of discerning of spirits gives a supernatural insight into the secret realm of the spiritual world. Through this gift, one receives information that could not be known apart from the gift. By discernment, we may know the true source and nature of any supernatural manifestation. One is able to know whether it is divine, satanic or just human. It should be noted, this is not discernment, but “discerning of spirits.” One might naturally discern a situation, but this gift is for the purpose of the discerning of the spirit world.

There are three kinds of spirits to be considered in our devotional. First is the Divine, God’s Holy Spirit promised to every believer by the Father. The divine also includes angels. Angels are known for manifesting and bringing messages from God to humans. Second is that the demonic, associated with the kingdom of darkness. Last is the human spirit. Both joy and pain can flow out of the human spirit. The gift of discernment is given to distinguish the source of activity. Is it coming from the divine, from the satanic or the human spirit? The use of the gift today is the same as seen in the Scriptures. Consider with me some applications of discernment found in God’s Word.

The gift is used in delivering the afflicted, oppressed, and tormented from the enemy’s clutches. Many infirmities, cruelties, and suicides are attributable to evil spirits. The natural world has difficulty conceiving of the spiritual world. Lives can still be driven and wrecked by cruel, tormenting spirits (Mark 5:1-15; Luke 9:38-43; Acts 5:16; Matthew 12:22; and Luke 13:11-16). Obviously, not all impediments are the work of evil spirits, but as Matthew 4:24 reveals, many that Jesus healed were tormented by evil spirits. Another application was to discover a servant of the devil. Paul, by the gift of discernment, discovered the true heart of the magician (Acts 13:6-10). This was not a case of deliverance, but judgment. Another time was to aid in discovering the plans of the adversary. After many days, Paul discerned the evil spirit and cast it out of the young woman. Thus, a wicked master was deprived of his gains and a woman was delivered (Acts 16:16). This gift is used to expose error (1Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1).

The gift of discernment can help in knowing if an angel is interacting with you (Luke 1:12 & 22). “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2).

Let us earnestly seek this gift that we may recognize when we come against a spirit of the enemy, the spirit of error, or even a wrongly motivated human spirit. Let us also be discerning of true ministers of God, whether human or angelic. Pray that the Holy Spirit will activate this vital gift in you and use you mightily for His kingdom’s sake.

1 Corinthians 14:31 – You can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted.

The subject of prophecy is at the heart of Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14. Earlier, Paul told these believers, “You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols” (1 Corinthians 12:2). Paul goes on to share about those who speak by the Spirit of God. God the Father always intended His people to be a voice for Him. Moses said, “I would that all God’s people were Prophets” (Numbers 11:29). Revelation 19:10 states that “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Let’s review what Paul teaches concerning prophecy. In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul commands us to “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” In verse 3 he writes, “But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification, and exhortation, and consolation.” He goes on in verse 4, “One who prophesies edifies the church.” In verse 5, Paul shares a deep desire, “Now I wish that you all speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.”

Remember, Paul is dealing with these gifts in the corporate gathering of the church. The instruction applies to the church as a whole being edified not just ministering to one person. Paul writes in verse 6, “What will it profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?” These are four clear spoken ways of building up the body of Christ! In verses 7 through 33, Paul illustrates his point using musical instruments, the natural way of speaking, and the call to war. Paul states, “I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:19). In verses 31-33 Paul teaches us that “you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; for God is not the God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

Paul is not dealing with the private use of tongues in these passages. He is concerned for the church when she gathers together. There, the focus must be “edification of one another.” In the corporate gathering, there is no place for being self-focused or drawing attention to oneself. The concern is always to be toward building up others in Christ.

Pray with me for the Holy Spirit to make us an instrument for Him to speak through Him to others. Lord, cause me to both hear You clearly and to speak clearly Your word to others that they may be edified. Release the “gift of prophecy” in my life as You please. I am listening Lord, use me.

Exodus 15:26 – If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.

Jehovah God established His Healing Covenant with His Covenant people after turning the bitter waters sweet. He said, “For I, the Lord, am your healer.” Throughout the Old and New Testament, healing was part of the covenant which the Lord provided for His people. In the New Testament, we see healing extended to unbelievers as a gift to draw them to God’s mercy and grace.

Many Scriptures speak to this tremendous truth of God’s grace of healing. Consider some of those healed in the Old Testament. Abimelech was healed when Abraham prayed (Genesis 20). God healed Israel while in the wilderness (Psalm 107:20). Naaman was healed when he followed Elisha’s instructions (2 Kings 5). Jeroboam, Hezekiah, and David experienced God’s healing power (Psalm 103:1-5).

In the Gospel of Luke, we find twenty-four cases of healing recorded. We read of Jesus healing the sick and sending His disciples to do the same (Luke 10:8-9). In verse 9, Jesus directly connects healing to the message of the kingdom of God. He healed some and the result was apparent later (Luke 17:14). He healed others and they recovered instantly (Matthew 8:13). He healed all manner of sickness and disease: lunacy, palsy, epilepsy, fever, paralysis, blindness, lameness, deafness, withered limbs and, He raised the dead as with Lazarus (John 11:38-44). He healed those that were far away (John 4:46-54). He healed chronic cases, such as the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years (Luke 8:43); the man lame for 38 years (Luke 5:5-9) and, the woman bent over for 18 years (Luke 13:18).

God still heals today. He uses willing people who will just simply believe God’s Word and obey as the Holy Spirit prompts them to pray for those in need. Today, rooms of healing are being raised up all over the world. God’s people come together in a building or house to take time to pray for the sick. Not only are many healed, but many are coming to know Christ as a result of God’s divine touch.

Ask the Father in Jesus’ name for the “gifts of healing” to operate in your life. There are so many people that need to be healed. There are many that need to be touched by the power of God. It has been said that “healing is the dinner bell to salvation.”

1 Corinthians 14:31 – You can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted.

The subject of prophecy is at the heart of Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14. Earlier, Paul told these believers, “You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols” (1 Corinthians 12:2). Paul goes on to share about those who speak by the Spirit of God. God the Father always intended His people to be a voice for Him. Moses said, “I would that all God’s people were Prophets” (Numbers 11:29). Revelation 19:10 states that “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Let’s review what Paul teaches concerning prophecy. In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul commands us to “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” In verse 3 he writes, “But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification, and exhortation, and consolation.” He goes on in verse 4, “One who prophesies edifies the church.” In verse 5, Paul shares a deep desire, “Now I wish that you all speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.”

Remember, Paul is dealing with these gifts in the corporate gathering of the church. The instruction applies to the church as a whole being edified not just ministering to one person. Paul writes in verse 6, “What will it profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?” These are four clear spoken ways of building up the body of Christ! In verses 7 through 33, Paul illustrates his point using musical instruments, the natural way of speaking, and the call to war. Paul states, “I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:19). In verses 31-33 Paul teaches us that “you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; for God is not the God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

Paul is not dealing with the private use of tongues in these passages. He is concerned for the church when she gathers together. There, the focus must be “edification of one another.” In the corporate gathering, there is no place for being self-focused or drawing attention to oneself. The concern is always to be toward building up others in Christ.

Pray with me for the Holy Spirit to make us an instrument for Him to speak through Him to others. Lord, cause me to both hear You clearly and to speak clearly Your word to others that they may be edified. Release the “gift of prophecy” in my life as You please. I am listening Lord, use me.

Mark 16:17 – These signs will accompany those who have believed.

What a wonderful promise our Lord has given us. The word miracle denotes a non-natural, beyond natural, supernatural order of things. A miracle is a work contrary to nature, the accomplishments of which we are unaccustomed to experiencing. The gift of the working of miracles operates by the energy or dynamic force of the Spirit of God. It is a sovereign act of the Spirit of God, irrespective of laws or systems that we understand.

Some of the operations of this gift are found both in the Old and New Testament. They are seen when God delivered His people from bondage, Exodus 14:16. God provided for those in need while in the wilderness, Exodus 17:5-6. In the New Testament, miracles confirm the preached Word, Acts 8:6. Miracles deliver people at times of unavoidable situations of danger, Acts 19:11-12. Miracles display God’s power and magnificence, Psalm 150:2. Miracles show forth His excellent greatness!

Miracles are explosions of God’s almighty signs and wonders. Miracles are an expression of the divine, walking among men. Miracles are tokens of His invisible power. Miracles fall into the realm of recreation, not just mere healing. There are miraculous occasions we find mentioned in the Scriptures and recorded in history. Some examples are the deliverance ministry, when evil spirits come out of people. There are occasions when new limbs are given, blind eyes are opened, deaf ears are unstopped, a new organ given, and unexplainable events taking place. The most powerful miracle is the resurrection of the dead.

God’s people, who have been saved by the power of God, need to give time to meditating on the “miraculous.” The miraculous should be a part of our walk with Christ, in the Power of the Holy Spirit. A lifestyle of the miraculous should not be foreign or strange. As a believer in the Lord, we should come to expect the Holy Spirit to break into our natural world and perform “signs and wonders.” Those that want to argue against the miraculous will be those that seldom see God’s miraculous hand. I choose to live a life of expectation resulting in many experiences of God’s intervention into my natural world with supernatural occurrences.

Won’t you join me in expectation of God’s promises to those who believe? Ask the Holy Spirit to perform mighty signs and wonders through you on behalf of those in need of the power of God. Father, raise my expectation of Your mighty power working with me and through me on a daily basis for Your glory.